How to Calculate Rolling Offsets

Written by contributing writer| 13/05/2017

(NA/AbleStock.com/Getty Images)

Calculating rolling offsets is an important skill to hone if you plan on working in plumbing, heating or in any job that requires high-level engineering skills. Rolling offsets refer to the directional changes (both vertically and horizontally) that a pipe can make in a plumbing or heating system. While calculating rolling offsets may sound like a difficult process, it is actually quite simple with the proper instructions.

Determine the rise of the pipes in question. The rise refers to how high vertically the piping system goes and is measured by referring to its highest point on the grid.

Determine the spread of the piping system in question. The spread refers to the total length of the piping system horizontally along the grid and is measured by beginning at one end point and continuing until you reach the other end point.

Enter the numbers that were calculated for rise and spread into the following equation: Rolling offset = the square root of the rise (squared) multiplied by the spread (squared). For example, if you were using a spread of 4 and a rise of 2, the rolling offset would be equal to the square root of 4 multiplied by 16, or 64. Use a calculator to determine the exact numerical value of your particular equation.